Ga. man blows up own home in suicide attempt during stand off

The Associated Press

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga.- A man who had been accused of kidnapping his girlfriend survived a house explosion as authorities waited outside for a warrant to arrest him.

Anthony Everett Morgan, who faces kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, was alone in the home Thursday when the explosion blew off the basement garage door and shattered windows, said Cobb County Fire Department spokesman Dan Dupree.

"He apparently disconnected a gas line in the basement in an attempt at suicide," Dupree said.

The previous evening, Morgan, 39, had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend, took her to his home in Powder Spring and apparently physically abused her, according to Cobb Police Department spokesman Cpl. Dana Pierce. The girlfriend, who authorities did not identify, was able get away and call for help.

A police officer was monitoring Morgan's house and waiting for the arrest warrant so officers could take him into custody when the explosion rattled the house around 1:30 a.m.

The officer was able to put out the fire, and Morgan suffered only minor injuries, Dupree said.

Investigators suspect the basement's water heater was the trigger. Dupree said the gas line to the dryer had been disconnected so gas was flowing freely in the room.

Morgan was taken to a hospital, then released into the custody of Cobb County police.

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